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Fourth Sunday of Advent December 20, 2020

Gathering PRELUDE Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming – Thomas Keesecker GREETING The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. ANNOUNCEMENTS The presiding minister shares announcements from the Trinity community. LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH All four candles are lit on the advent wreath.

Blessed are you, God of hosts, for you promised to send a son, Emmanuel, who brought your presence among us; and you promise through your Son Jesus to save us from our sin. As we light these candles, turn again to us in mercy; strengthen our faith in the word spoken by your prophets; restore us and give us life that we may be saved. O house of David, come, let us rejoice, for the Son of God, Emmanuel, comes to be with us. Amen.

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GATHERING SONG Savior of the Nations, Come (ELW 263) At-home worshippers are invited to sing.

PRAYER OF THE DAY The presiding minister leads the prayer of the day.

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Word READING: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 The assisting minister reads the lesson.

A reading from Second Samuel. 1Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.” 3Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you.” 4But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. 16Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

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GOSPEL: Luke 1:26-38 The presiding minister reads the gospel.

The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord. 26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON The presiding minister delivers the sermon.

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HYMN OF THE DAY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (ELW 257) At-home worshippers are invited to sing.

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION The assisting minister leads the prayers.

God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need. A brief silence.

Gracious God, all generations call you blessed. In this holy season we pray for our neighbors of other denominations and faiths. Inspire the faith of their people. Cultivate understanding among us and strengthen us in love and service to our community. With the worldwide ecumenical community, today we pray for the churches of Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Creator God, you scatter the proud. Everything we have belongs first to you. Bless and protect the seas, mountains, plains, forests, skies, and soils that surround us. Give us humility as we tend them. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Righteous God, you humble the powerful and lift up the lowly. We pray for the leaders of all nations, that they amplify the voices of people in need. Guide all people entrusted with leadership, to create societies in which everyone can flourish. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Healing God, you pour out mercy to all who cry out to you. Surround everyone in need of healing in body, mind, or spirit with your tender presence. We pray especially for Bruce, Marie, Linda, Paul, Del, Kim, Paul, Todd, Bruce, Rita, Gerry, Art, Arlene, Ron, Janice, Pat, Josiah, Marina and her family, and those we name in the silence of our hearts. [a pause] Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Compassionate God, you fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty. Nourish those who lack access to adequate food and nutrition. Bless the work of advocates, community organizers, and food pantries. Encourage others to provide for their neighbors in need. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

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Eternal God, you are faithful to the promises you made to our forebears. We give thanks for the ministry of Katharina von Bora Luther and other ancestors who organized, planned, dreamed, encouraged, and reached out as they served you. We give thanks for the bold leadership of female leaders in our own time, especially Deacon Sherry Coman. Inspire others with their steadfast witness. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

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Meal DIALOGUE The presiding minister greets the assembly.

God is with you. And also with you. Come, Emmanuel into our longing hearts. We lift them up to you, as we gather at this table. in anticipation and hope. THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE The presiding minister continues.

God of hopeful expectation, who enters into our stories, who births new life into creation, who invites us into a rich and restoring relationship, we come before you with humble hearts to greet you in our midst. You were there when creation burst into being with endless possibilities. You were there when the Israelites tasted liberty, and you opened their eyes to new freedom. You were there with Mary when she became a powerful vessel and witness, to birth love into the world. You were there with Jesus when he prayed in the garden, when he confronted death and brought resurrection life to your people. And you are with us now as we gather at your table, your meal and gift of love for all who come hungry and thirsty today.

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We come, like those first disciples, gathered around the table to hear Jesus’ words of promise and hope. On the night that he last ate with his disciples, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat; this is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. When the meal had finished, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new promise of life and love, poured out for all of you for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering his life, his death, and his resurrection, We offer these fruits of creation, bread and wine, and ourselves in grateful service. Thank you for your Spirit who works in and among us, in times of hope-filled anticipation. Who strengthens and sustains us, and who, challenges and prods us. Who gives us life and continues to surprise us with extravagant grace. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen.

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LORD’S PRAYER The presiding minister introduces the Lord’s Prayer.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

At-home worshippers are invited to consume their bread and wine.

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PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION The assisting minister leads the prayer after communion.

Let us pray. Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world’s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sending BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing.

May the God of truth grow your capacity for difference. May Jesus show you the way of love and hope. May the Spirit anchor you in the complexity of life Let us go forth in the name of God,

Creator, ☩ Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen. DISMISSAL The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission.

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE People, Look East – Wayne L. Wold

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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Liturgical texts and music copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS103461. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Liturgical texts also adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Liturgies for Year B, Vol. 1 © 2015 Westminster John Knox Press; and from newly written Advent texts ©Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Hymn texts and music are in public domain, except the following, reprinted by permission under OneLicense, license #A-724555. Savior of the Nations, Come Text © 2006 Augsburg Fortress O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Selected stanzas © 1997 Augsburg Fortress Permission to stream copyrighted music in this service is obtained from OneLicense, license #A-724555. In addition to the music listed above, it includes: Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming by Thomas Keesecker from The Quiet Centre © 2017 Birnamwood Publications People, Look East by Wayne L. Wold from Pull Out the Stops! Volume 1 © 2001 Augsburg Fortress

Lynn Thompson, president ▪ Tanya Ramer, pastor Jamie Courtney, parish administrator & minister of music

Helen Toman, visitation pastor ▪ Heidi Van Schaik, youth worker ▪ Brian Racho, sexton Ron Leonard, honourary assistant pastor ▪ Gywin Murray, emerita director of music

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church ▪ 23 Church Street ▪ New Hamburg, Ontario ▪ N3A 1J1

Phone (519) 662-1810 ▪ E-mail mail@telc.ca ▪ Web www.telc.ca